Spring-end connection



Jan. 13, 1931. J. w. SMITH 1,789,278

SPRING END CONNECTION Filed June 9, 1928 v 5 u), ZNVENTOR Patented Jan. 13,1931

* UNITED STATES JOHN ,w. SMITH, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, AssIGNQRTo Ter FAFNIR Bnanrive COMPANY, on NEW BRITAIN, oormEoTrcuT, A oonrofrnTrolv o SPR NG-min connncwion Application filed J 'une 9,

proved and simplified form of spring and] connection for vehicles. 7 V

Bri fly stated, in the preferred form of the invention I provide a bracket to be secured to the frame or the spring, butpreferably to the frame. The bracket might be made integral withthe frame, but I prefer to have the same a separate bracket to be attached. The bracket isprovided-with spaced apart portions to accommodate races of antifriction bearings. The other member to be con nected, for example, the spring is provided with complementary antifrictlon bearlng member raceways and antlfrlctlon bearing members such as balls or rollers are seated upon the complementary raceways. The raceways carried by the bracket are positively and definitely limited in theirrelative positions in one direction so that when the spring end connection is assembled, the bearings will be automatically adjusted, thatis to say, the antifriction bearing memberssuch as the balls or rollers will fit their respective races with the desired tightness.

In the drawing which shows, for illus trative purposes only, a preferred form of the invention I have illustrated an end view of a spring and bracket, parts being shown in section to illustrate interior construction.

In said drawings, 5 indicates a bracket which may be attached to a vehicle spring or frame, preferably the latter. 7 6 indicates a spring to be attached to the frame or the bracket thereon. In the preferred form shown the bracket 5 is provided with spaced apart bosses 77 leaving an opening 8 therebetween for the accommodation of theother member to be connected, for example, the spring 6. The bosses are provided with registering bores as 9 for the reception of sleeves or flange portions 10 having 7 antifriction bearing member recesses therein. If desired 1928- Serial no. 284,13

the antifriction. bearing member raceways maybe formedin separateracewaycups ll held in the recesses. The sleeve extensions 10 r co cme'm preferably have external flanges 121-12 7 which abut the outside end surfaces "of the 13-713 serve to secure the flanges individually to the bosses 7 -7 and definitely-and rigidly space the antifriction bearing member amp t e ng 61 pr de w th @9 e m v aati ricti n eer n '1 11 2-2 ]?!erv racer Ways and in the formshown I employ 'aJbear.-

s p W -In y b e re in arrin eye by any suitable means such as a drive; fit or by means of a set-screw or thelike entendi g n en ckedr r l 1 the pin- In. the Part c ar fe l i us ated h pi h s nt i i enibe r ne membe ceme formed directly thereon as indicated'in the drawing Aetif Qt n b a i g" memb rs such as balls l616, are interposed between he m w y c r ie by th spr ng. nd b a k A su able m of d t ing 1% e e t e lu dus om a d re a n ube.- Q h a t riction f ngmemhe I T s s re pr er bly recessedias I in ate 'a -l o as to. permit th pas: ge of h e ds of t e pin 1 intoth -p1osition shown before the sleeves l. V1 0 are inserted.

he a m ly and clisasse hlyof the. spring end connection are simple operations. To assemble, the pinl4 is moved up substantially to the position illustrated, therecesses 18 serving to permit this movement, The sleeve members .10 andthe bearing cups 11 when such are employed together with the anrtifriction bearing members 16 and dust J on the bosses 77. lVhen the flanges 1212 are abutting the bosses the parts should have i "'55 bosses 'Z'Z as will be clear from the drawlngs. Su table means such as. the cap-screws been so proportioned that the antifriction gearing members are seated with the desired It will be seen that by ordinary production methods the distance between the bearing raceways at opposite ends of the pin 14- may be definitely determined. The space between the outside surfaces of the bosses 7 -7 may likewise be definitely determined, and consequently the distance between the bearing race ways carried by the sleeves 10-10 may be definitely determined. Therefore, when the parts are assembled and the cap-screws drawn up the parts will fit with the desired'degree of accuracy. It will be seen that theparts of my improved spring end connection are interchangeable and that in assembling no adjustment is necessary, and the fit of the antifriction bearing members is not" dependent upon the skill and judgment of the mechanicwho assembles the spring end connection. The parts of my improved spring end connection are few in number and are easily and cheaply V manufactured.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail 'I donot wish to be strictly limited to the form shown since changes may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claim. i

I claim:

In a spring end connectioma bracket hav ing spaced apart bosses with al gned bores therein, pin means to be secured to a spring 7 I and extend beyond the sides'thereof, said extending parts of said pin means having bearing raceways formed directly thereon, 1

said raceways being a single definite distance apart, end caps for saidbosses, means for securing said end caps to said bosses independently of each other, said end caps having parts abutting and being spaced a single definite distance apart by parts of said bosses, said end caps each comprising an outer securing portion and an inwardly directed flange portion extending in said bore, said flange portion defining a bearing cup housing, a bearing cup in said housing, anti-friction bearing members interposed between said bearing cup and said raceway, a lubricant retaining and dust excluding ring surrounding said pin means inwardly of the ends thereof for sealing said anti-friction bearings, said ring being bodily removable with said end cap and bearin cup, each said end cap together with its bearing cup and dust ring being bodily and readily removable as a unit from said boss immediately upon release of said means for securing said end cap to said boss and independently of said raceways on said pin means.

JOHN W. SMITH. 

